Sunset Beach are the North Island IRB Champions.
It was hot, hard racing at Waihi Beach that weekend with challenging surf conditions making it a spectators sport. Sunset Beach had excellent results. World Champions Taylor Shrimpton and Jemima Ferrier won five gold medals in Assembly, Mass, Single Rescue, Tube Rescue and Teams race. Our other Women’s teams backed up that performance with Samantha Coughlan and Abi Chapman with a silver x 2 and Bronze x 2. Robbie Shrimpton and Samantha-Jane Harding won silver x 2, gold x 1.
Lola Key and Hannah Simpson with patient Siobhain Oliver took four straight golds in the U20 Women’s Comp and a silver in the Open women’s team race. Shane and Mark Edwards won two gold in the Men’s Single and Tube Rescues, and two bronze while Hogan Shrimpton and Anton Baptist had a very consistent day with three Silver medals and a bronze. U22 men’s saw Judd Redman and Jhett Hunt win a silver and bronze. All teams contributed to a massive team score of 179 points with Mairangi Bay on 63.
Everyone exhausted from the heat with long days of racing. A big weekend of racing for 33 athletes in 53 races! President of Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service said “Another amazing effort by this dedicated team. You only reach the top of the mountain if the team is committed. Sunset once again showed True Grit.”
Teams will head to the South Island IRB Champs in March followed by the National Championships in April also in Dunedin, South Island.
